Rivalry week is finally upon us, college football fans and the SEC’s most heated rivalry renews in the Plains as No. 5 Alabama faces No. 15 Auburn. The matchup made its debut in 1893 and has been played 83 times with Alabama leading the series 46-36-1. While the home team has won 6 of the last 7 meetings, this is a must-win game for Alabama on the road. The Crimson Tide will not be playing in the SEC Championship Game and has lost star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a season-ending injury. Now, their chances to end up in the College Football Playoff rest on sophomore backup QB Mac Jones, who has put up solid numbers in limited action this season. Nick Saban may have thrown some shade at LSU calling Auburn the “best team we’ve played” in 2019, but Auburn’s defense should provide a difficult test for Jones. Led by outstanding defensive lineman Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson, Auburn is tied with Alabama for 10th in the nation in scoring defense allowing 16.2 points per game. SI’s Amy Campbell says the stakes are high for this matchup, and if we’re lucky, The Iron Bowl will provide college football fans with another instant classic.